West Alabama basketball teams swept

Published: Sunday, January 20, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 11:36 p.m.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. | Christian Brothers led from tip to buzzer to record its first Gulf South Conference win of the season, 56-51, over West Alabama on Saturday.

Christian Brothers (4-11, 1-6) employed a solid defense effort, forcing 10 Tigers turnovers and jumping out to a 28-22 lead by the half. UWA (8-7, 3-4) turned it over 17 times in the game, leading to 23 points.

Nikkia Jordan scored 24 points for West Alabama to lead all scorers. Tamya Thompson followed with 14. Synthea Reed failed to score but collected a game-high 10 rebounds and blocked three shots.

“We tried to shorten the game and defend harder,” UWA coach Craig Roden said, “but the one thing you can’t do when you re shortening the game is turn it over.

“Seventeen turnovers when you are shortening the game is like 25 in a normal game.” Roden said. “You can’t get away with that on the road.”

Steven Samuels led West Alabama (6-8, 2-5) in scoring for the fourth consecutive game. He had 17 points and eight rebounds.

“In the first half, they played as good against us as any team we’ve faced in the past two years,” UWA coach Mike Newell said. “They shot the ball really well. I thought defensively we were mismatched, but in the end all the credit goes to Christian Brothers.”

The Buccaneers took advantage of six Tiger turnovers in the first half, including five steals, to build a 37-19 lead by halftime. The Tigers finished with 14 turnovers.

“I thought that Steven Samuels was really the only positive for us all day, but even he struggled in his shooting tonight,” Newell said.

<p>MEMPHIS, Tenn. | Christian Brothers led from tip to buzzer to record its first Gulf South Conference win of the season, 56-51, over West Alabama on Saturday.</p><p>Christian Brothers (4-11, 1-6) employed a solid defense effort, forcing 10 Tigers turnovers and jumping out to a 28-22 lead by the half. UWA (8-7, 3-4) turned it over 17 times in the game, leading to 23 points. </p><p>Nikkia Jordan scored 24 points for West Alabama to lead all scorers. Tamya Thompson followed with 14. Synthea Reed failed to score but collected a game-high 10 rebounds and blocked three shots.</p><p>“We tried to shorten the game and defend harder,” UWA coach Craig Roden said, “but the one thing you can't do when you re shortening the game is turn it over.</p><p>“Seventeen turnovers when you are shortening the game is like 25 in a normal game.” Roden said. “You can't get away with that on the road.”</p><p>Breanna Ridgell scored 20 points, leading Christian Brothers.</p><p>West Alabama hosts Union at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. </p><p></p><p><b>MEN</p><p>Christian Brothers 68, </p><p>West Alabama 49</b></p><p>Memphis, Tenn. | Christian Brothers (10-5, 5-2 Gulf South) made 12 3-pointers.</p><p>Steven Samuels led West Alabama (6-8, 2-5) in scoring for the fourth consecutive game. He had 17 points and eight rebounds.</p><p>“In the first half, they played as good against us as any team we've faced in the past two years,” UWA coach Mike Newell said. “They shot the ball really well. I thought defensively we were mismatched, but in the end all the credit goes to Christian Brothers.”</p><p>The Buccaneers took advantage of six Tiger turnovers in the first half, including five steals, to build a 37-19 lead by halftime. The Tigers finished with 14 turnovers.</p><p>“I thought that Steven Samuels was really the only positive for us all day, but even he struggled in his shooting tonight,” Newell said.</p><p>West Alabama hosts Union at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.</p>